Intergenerational sustainable tourism and quality of life

This paper is part of a long series of research and experimental projects in intergenerational tourism, which started in 2000 in the ‘Generational Encounters Study Group’ at the University of Milan with a project on ‘Computer languages and intergenerational communication’ (Albanese,2001). These projects have been planned and monitored by A.R.I.P.T.-Fo.R.P, (Association of Interdisciplinary Research in Psychology of Tourism: Training, Research and Planning), the University network which awards a certificate of Manager in Environment and Intergenerational Tourism (Albanese&Bocci, 2012;2013;2016). Managers trained in this programme are being prepared to work in the field of quality tourism, trained in constant awareness to handle natural and socio-cultural resources and to solve specific local problems (Ferrari, Bocci, et. al., 2014). The projects fit into this framework by promoting social-cultural learning experiences between participants of different generations belonging to different families. Study projects take a multi-methodological approach based on the principal theories of social psychology and recent studies on psychology of ageing (Cesa-Bianchi&Cristini,2014 ). The aim is to analyse empathetic communication in a holiday setting between small groups made up of youngsters -12-17 y.o.- and similar groups of elderly -over60- (which we call ‘Grandparent-Grandchild Group). Our intergenerational holiday activities are centred on discovery and understanding of the local area, its history and environment. We have two goals: - fostering empathetic communication between the young and elderly; - modifying negative stereotypes and attributes. The contribution presents the results of the most recent research projects in central Italy (Viterbo, 2010-2016). These projects confirm the three phases of communication development introduced by Albanese in 2001: “drawing close—getting to know each other —empathy”. When the interacting groups develop a sense of solidarity based on shared values then a fourth phase of ‘group generative creativity’ emerges; in this case in support of a sustainable natural and socio-cultural environment. Reflecting upon this fourth phase, empathetic holiday collaborations have continued during additional free-time creative activities involving the two generational groups: the creation of two urban woodland areas (2012) and collaboration in “solidarity vegetable plots” (Caritas, 2016). In the a.y. 2015-2016, A.R.I.P.T.-Fo.R.P. has set up ‘sandwich course’ contracts with secondary schools for catering, tourist services and farming to provide intergenerational holidays in Val di Non –Trento- and San Pellegrino Terme –Bergamo- (Brignoli, 2016; Cattaneo&Fenili, 2016). In 2017 the Association plans to extend its research projects for improving the quality of social relations and to actively pursue the internationalization of the model (Passafaro,Mura,Albanese&Bocci, 2017).